This is Me Speaking

I just want to quickly share few thoughts on recent problematic coverage. Also to release some stress and anger through writing. Hopefully I’ll encourage myself to write more and become more tolerant. It’s very difficult as such problematic coverage is all over the social media:

Being a neither/nor person is not easy in peace times, it’s stressful and painful in times of war & exile. It’s an isolating position. In virtual spaces like this one, you’re under risk of being attacked, discredited, and ridiculed if you’re a woman. Many times mansplained.

I was almost called a “traitor” by a dear friend. Called a “White Syrian” by another. Most of my attackers are men identified as revolutionaries.

I had to restrict, unfriend and block to protect my well-being in spaces like Facebook.

All because I am not only a dissent to Assad, but to problematic dominant narratives in revolutionary circles, especially adopted by self-identified intellectuals.

That’s why many choose to not speak. Especially women. And I know many whom I speak to in private chat rooms and gatherings offline. Many of the anti-Assads who have different views from the dominant narratives don’t speak. What you hear is not representative of all revolutionary opinions.

The dominant narratives on Syria exclude and attack non-conforming opinions and discourses.

I self-censored myself but my determination to speak mirrors my determination against Assad.

It’s the job of the White Helmet to protect civilians. Doing your job shouldn’t be celebratory. Unless you’re saying this service is exclusive to opposition areas, or to Sunni civilians. So when it’s extended to non Sunni and non Opposition areas, it should be celebrated.

Be careful of your dangerous coverage and your discourse. It embodies Syria partition you claim to be against.

No. The revolution is not pure. The bombing of residents of Damascus, Aleppo, Sheikh Maksoud & other areas were not genuinely being condemned as the ones done by Assad and Russia. Sometimes they were even cheered for out of vengeance.

It’s a mere act of propaganda to use the photos of people helping the injured to whitewash all of opposition and rebel crimes. This is cheap and shameful. Not revolutionary.

It’s worth explaining what exactly you mean by “the revolution continues” when you say all of the above problematic positions that confuse the hell out of me. And I am a protester for 3 years. Anti-Assad since 2006.

Personally, my revolution started at home at the age of 15. Being part of the popular uprising was the most beautiful act I’ve ever done. But it’s clear that my definition of revolution is different than most. And close to handful of comrades scattered worldwide.

Down with all states bombing Syria. Down with all armed groups. Down with propagandists. And viva the people’s struggles in Syria, the region and worldwide.

3 thoughts on “This is Me Speaking

  1. Roy Maki says:

    This is an important read and we got to do something about this very critical issue with masclinization and militariasation of our struggle (excuse these poshy words!). I have faced something very similar myself and it is increasingly happening to me when people close and far are subjectifying me to a matter of are you pro or anti and you’re sounding like an Assad loyalist, or worst an Israeli politician! That is when the bais-ness of coverage or the lack of critical thinking and lack of argument and need for knowledge of things taken place in “rebel-controlled-areas” or by the “rebels”. It is mind-blowing but a daily duty to me to go in depth of FB posts, comments, clips and articles that seem to scrutinize one side leaving the other glorified or excused in the name of fighting bloody dictatorship. I am soooo critical nowadays and I am losing my nerves and nails in the process of witnessing and arguing with many of my network friends and acquintances. It is getting into me the self censorship and I am fighting it every single minute i am faced with the politics and the future of Syria as of Iraq. For that, I am proud of you of writing this and let’s start a club or a group or something where women, in particular, have a voice in this bloody war. Salam Kbeer mn Malmö! Let’s keep in touch, Razan!

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